Brutal Miami Pride attack caught on camera

Four men have surrendered to police after they were caught on camera attacking a gay couple during Miami Beach Pride celebrations.

Following Sunday’s Pride Parade, Rene Chalarca and Dmitry Logunov were seemingly randomly assaulted by the men as they walked out of restrooms in full public view.

The group yelled anti-gay slurs at the couple as they viciously punched and kicked them.

A passerby tried to intervene and he too was knocked to the ground. The victims suffered multiple cuts and bruises on their faces and heads, and Logunov was temporarily knocked out.

“We probably provoked them because we were walking together, holding hands. It was gay Pride, South Beach was full of gay people,” Logunov told NBC Miami.

“This was the first time that I go to this type of event, and of course it got me overwhelmed. Like, why, why us? Why are these things still happening… here in Miami?” asked Chalarca.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said the attack “was despicable to see and hear about, especially during a week when we celebrate our diversity”. He added: “Our city actively embraces its diversity and inclusivity and we want everybody to feel like it’s a safe space to be here.”

The incident was captured on surveillance cameras and images of the attacker’s faces were widely circulated in the media. At imminent risk of being identified, the men turned themselves in to police on Tuesday.

“It makes me happy. At least, they were nice enough to admit that they committed the crime and surrender themselves,” Lugonov told Local 10 News.

The men have been charged with aggravated battery. The state attorney’s office will now decide if the attack should be classified as a hate crime, which could result in harsher penalties.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE 4 SUSPECTS?

These suspects are responsible for the brutal attack that follows. Occurred Sunday night after Miami Beach Gay Pride at 6 Street/Ocean Drive.

Call Crime Stoppers: https://t.co/rYWIrW8nIR. pic.twitter.com/NQthfFMIrB

— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) April 10, 2018